I like to see honesty out of people. People who are trustworthy.

The words of Ray Lewis—“I like to see honesty out of people. People who are trustworthy. I like to see people who are involved with The Lord”—are not spoken as mere pleasantries, but as the creed of a man who has wrestled with both triumph and trial. In these words, Lewis sets forth the virtues he deems essential for the soul: honesty, that clear light which reveals truth; trustworthiness, the firm ground upon which relationships and communities are built; and devotion to The Lord, the highest allegiance of all, anchoring human conduct in eternal principles rather than fleeting desires.

The origin of this declaration flows from Lewis’s own life, marked by greatness on the field and struggle off it. As a leader of men in the sport of football, he witnessed firsthand that victories cannot be won by talent alone, but by trust among teammates and integrity in conduct. His words reveal what he learned beyond the game: that greatness is not measured only in strength or speed, but in the moral character of those who walk beside you. To him, the true champion is not merely the one who wins, but the one whose heart is pure and whose life is aligned with the will of The Lord.

History confirms the eternal weight of these virtues. Consider the story of George Washington, who, though offered the crown of America, turned it aside. His honesty in leadership, his refusal to betray the ideals of liberty, earned him the trust of his people. Or reflect upon Abraham Lincoln, who steered a fractured nation through war not merely by might but by the moral authority of his character. These men became immortal not only for what they accomplished, but because they were deemed trustworthy, guided by a higher sense of justice. Their greatness, like Lewis’s words, points to the truth: power without integrity collapses, but power with honesty and faith endures.

Yet Lewis’s invocation of The Lord lifts the teaching higher still. For honesty without faith may falter under pressure, and trustworthiness without divine guidance may bend to human weakness. But when a man or woman is rooted in God, their integrity is not swayed by circumstance, nor their loyalty broken by fear. To be “involved with The Lord” is to live under a greater gaze, to measure oneself not by the world’s shifting standards, but by the eternal call of righteousness. Such devotion strengthens honesty, sanctifies trust, and transforms character into something unshakable.

The meaning of Lewis’s words, then, is a summons: surround yourself with those whose lives are marked by honesty, whose word can be trusted as surely as stone beneath your feet, and whose souls are grounded in faith. Such people elevate not only themselves but all who walk beside them. A dishonest companion may dazzle with charm, but he will betray you when storms rise. A man without trustworthiness may labor with you today, but he will abandon you tomorrow. And one without faith may promise much, but he lacks the anchor that holds steady when the tempests of life rage.

The lesson for us is plain: seek to cultivate these three virtues in yourself, and cherish them in others. Value honesty over flattery, for truth heals while deception destroys. Be trustworthy in all your dealings, so that others may rest securely in your word. And above all, root your life in The Lord, for from Him flows the strength to live these virtues when the cost is high. Do not be deceived by outward appearances of success; seek the company of those whose character shines with these qualities, and you will find yourself walking in the company of the noble.

Practically, let each of us live out this teaching. Speak truth even when it is difficult, for every lie corrodes the soul. Keep your promises, even the small ones, for trust is built drop by drop but lost in a flood. Set aside time to walk with God—through prayer, through reflection, through service—so that your life is guided by more than ambition. And when you look to others for companionship, for friendship, or for leadership, weigh not their riches nor their power, but their honesty, their trustworthiness, and their devotion to The Lord.

Thus, the words of Ray Lewis stand as more than a personal preference; they are a timeless call to virtue: “I like to see honesty out of people. People who are trustworthy. I like to see people who are involved with The Lord.” Let us pass these words like a torch to the generations that follow, that they may learn what true greatness is: not fleeting glory, but character forged in truth, in loyalty, and in faith. For such a life will not merely shine for a season—it will burn as a beacon across the ages.